Tyriek Crutchfield and Deanna Kee, both of Prince George’s County, Maryland, plan on sharing their Valentine’s Day together yet apart, as they virtually spend their time together through FaceTime calls, eating their favorite foods and binge-watching movies.
They are not only dealing with the physical restraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are living in different states, keeping them further apart for the holiday. With the ongoing pandemic and long distance between Ohio and Virginia interfering with their Valentine’s Day plans, this year’s holiday will be strikingly different.
Kee attends Hollins University of Roanoke, Va., and Crutchfield attends Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio.
“This Valentine’s Day is different because we’re in two different states and it is harder to get together to do things to actually enjoy the day compared to last year when we were able to go out for breakfast and spend the day together,” Crutchfield said.
As it is their first Valentine’s Day apart, it will be a bit of a challenge, but they intend on making the best out of their current circumstances. Crutchfield and Kee plan on making their day special through virtual events to make up for not being together in person.
“I love what we’re going to do virtually, but if we could do all of that in person it would be so much more fun,” Kee said. “Even though our Valentine’s Day will be virtual this year, it’s no doubt it will be special. Honestly, every time I get to spend just being on the phone with him is special. But us doing the things we love like watching movies, us playing Monopoly on our phones, and enjoying each other’s presence will make the day special.”
Despite Valentine’s Day mostly being reserved for relationships and couples, other people use the day to celebrate the love between their friendships. Micah Caldwell plans on spending her holiday celebrating “Galentine’s Day” with a few of her closest girlfriends.
“I feel as though Galentine’s Day is something every girlfriend group should celebrate,” Caldwell said. “My friends and I are having a safe gathering of eight people to hang out, bake brownies, watch movies and have a mini-photo shoot.
“Yes, having a significant other is romantic, but nothing is more fun than a sleepover with your girlfriends,” she said.
Galentine’s Day is Feb. 13, with the purpose of celebrating female friendships and showing appreciation toward those companionships.
Whether you decide to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, remember to stay safe throughout the pandemic by practicing social distancing, wearing facial covering, and most important of all, staying at home.
The writer is a multimedia journalism major at the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication.
